BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman vowed Tuesday to resume all-party talks to discuss Hezbollah weapons.

“I underscore my intention to continue efforts to provide the necessary conditions for the resumption of dialogue between the various parties in order to protect the Lebanese and to make every effort to agree on a defense strategy for Lebanon,” Sleiman said in a speech to the diplomatic corps.

Hezbollah's arsenal is a contentious issue in Lebanon. The party says it will hold on to its weapons to defend Lebanese territory in the absence of a strong military force in Lebanon.

Turning to Syria, Sleiman urged the neighboring country to end its internal crisis.

“Syria, which is connected to Lebanon through brotherly ties and in which Lebanon has an interest in seeing the Arab League plan succeed, should resolve the crisis which has hampered its economic growth,” Sleiman said during a meeting with the diplomatic corps at the Presidential Palace in Baabda.

Sleiman hailed the government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati for being able to move forward on a number of projects and has vowed to implement them.

He also praised Lebanon for “fighting international terrorism through the people’s support of the Lebanese state,” and thanked the Lebanese Army for its role in combating terrorism.

The president reiterated that Lebanon rejects the naturalization of Palestinians.

“Lebanon rejects any form of naturalization, owing to the [Palestinians'] right of return.”